Cracks between Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) deepened which was reflected from a fresh salvo fired by Bilawal Bhutto Zardari against Nawaz Sharif, who is set to return to the country on October 21 after years-long self-exile in London.
Addressing a public rally in Karachi, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto said the democratic process was hindered in the country just due to “one person’s return.”
Both the parties were major allied partners in the previous government, but gradually their relation strained following the completion of the tenure of Pakistan Democratic Movement led government this year.
The PPP has repeatedly expressed apprehension that Nawaz might receive “special relief” upon his arrival, potentially avoiding incarceration despite being a convict and an absconder.
“Delaying elections will not ‘give respect to the vote,’ rather disrespect it,” said Bilawal while making fun of the PML-N’s electoral slogan, “vote ko izzt do” (give respect to the sanctity of the vote).
Bilawal Bhutto stressed the importance of holding general elections promptly, urging the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to announce the election date. The PPP leader highlighted the necessity for new leadership, unburdened by past controversies, and emphasized the need for a political landscape reminiscent of the 1990s, rather than the situation in 2017.
“The election commission should immediately announce the date for the polls. We should, once and for all, end this politics of divide […] the PPP is ready for elections,” the PPP chairman declared during the rally.
He announced the commencement of the PPP’s mass contact campaign, aimed at pressuring the ECP to issue the election date, allowing the people to exercise their right to vote.
The political climate in Pakistan remains charged as the nation braces for Sharif’s return and awaits crucial decisions regarding the upcoming general elections.
